Forever With You

CLAIM

You came like the wind

Carrying calm within

Your smile was pure

Your laugh was sin

Travelling a long way

I met you that day

And everything that surrounded

Slowly and steadily faded.

Your hazel orbs were magic

With pain in it

That was hidden from the

world

But I found it charismatic.

And that day you became my

smile

And I had claimed you mine

But still, you went away

Like the wind that sways.

I still claim you mine

Cause my heart is attached to you

You have no clue

But I claim you.

'' Pre .. have breakfast ...come quickly.'' Prena's mother called her.

'Yes, Mom.'' Prena shouted and ran downstairs. 

'' Good morning ma...'' she wished her mother cheerfully and sat beside her younger brother Arjun.

''Good morning love ....be happy and may Durga maa give you all happiness.'' instead of her mother Arjun replied just in the same tone as her mother. 

'' Arjun..'' her mother glared at him but the next moment everyone broke into giggles.

'' All the best bara di ..'' Arjun wished her as she was about to go for her first day in high school.

Prena belonged to a simple middle family. After her father's death a few years back her mother, she and her younger brother lived in their small house. 

Her mother was a high school teacher and a respected woman. 

Prena was in 11th standard and it was her first day at her new school.

She was a genius since she was a kid and as it was her dream to become a doctor she chose biology.

She was a reserved girl outside...very introverted....never ever she was seen talking to anyone except her best friend Simran. 

Being a practising Bengali she always wore descent and dull-coloured clothes. Though she had a fair complexion and quite beautiful facial features she never highlighted them. It was quite difficult for anyone to spot her in the crowd. She was a beautiful pearl in the shell.

'' Hi Simran....how are you? '' She greeted Simran and stood beside her. 

''Hey, girl...I am rocking and fine. '' Simran said in her usual dramatic tone.

'' So missed Einstein ready to rock the class?'' Simran asked making her chuckle. 

'' And you miss Issac?" Prena also played along. 

Simran and Prena were among the top students of the class but they never showed off their talent. They were similar in everything except that Simran was bold and outspoken while Prena was shy. 

Simran belonged to one of the richest families of the city yet she and her family were down to Earth and treated Prena like their own daughter.

''Anurag ..'' Simran shouted as soon as some boys entered the class. 

And this stunt made everyone look towards her. 

'' Sorry ....'' she mumbled to everyone. 

While on the other hand one of the boys hit his hand overhead...clearly telling that he was Anurag. 

He silently came towards them and stood beside Prena who was sitting on the first chair. 

Prena didn't even look up ..while Anurag also didn't notice Prena. 

When Anurag went Prena turned towards Simran and smacked her head. 

'' Idiot !" Why were you talking to a random boy?" She whispered and scolded her. 

'' You idiot he is Anurag .. my step-cousin brother ...'' Simran said caressing her head.

'' Oh...'' Prena said. 

The whole day went in a blur and everything went normal. Simran made a new friend kelly ...she was Simran's father's acquaintance's daughter..and way too modern. She didn't even greet Prena which was absolutely normal for her but Simran was huffing every 5 minutes. 

''How can she ignore you...I am telling you if dad wouldn't have asked me I would never have made her my friend .'' She again huffed for the ninth time. 

'' Relax Simi..it's alright ..ok I am going.Bye.Prena said and pulled her cheeks. 

'' Bye, love.'' Simi replied with a smile on her face. 

''Simi...'' Anurag shouted making Simi turn.

''Yes, what happened?.. Simi asked. 

'' Can you show me around little sister please.'' He asked patting her head. 

'' Anu doesn't do that I am not a kid ..'' she said giving him a mock at his face. 

'' Ok let's go please I will treat you to KFC and buy you chocolates,'' Anu said and Simi instantly agreed to him.

'' Good afternoon housie..'' Prena said entering the lone house. It was her habit.

Her mother along with Arjun was at school so was she alone with herself. 

She never ever complained or cried out her sorrows for an act of emotion or to gain sympathy. She welcomed solitude as her best friend till the end of time. 

Almost two months had passed by and everything was going normal her daily routine had no changes it was the same old normal. 

'So everyone as you know today some people among you will give lectures on some specific topics that I announce.''The professor said Yasir came and gave his part of the lecture.

He stumbled at some points on which everyone laughed unnecessarily. 

'' Ok, now Prena...come'' The professor said and everyone in the class turned towards her. 

With hesitant steps, she moved forward with a lowered gaze that attracted Anurag. He had seen many girls but this was the first time a normal simple girl had caught his attraction and he seemed attracted towards her since day one of today. 

Everyone made assumptions that she will not be able to say anything. But somewhere deep down she was nervous to catch an eye. Simran never failed to leave by her side and she gave Prena that big smile of encouragement. 

'' Hi everyone. I am Prena Mukherjee and today I am going to explain the topic Central Nervous System .'' Prena spiked boldly and her voice was also a little louder. 

Everyone's faces were worth watching their jaws were on the floor. How can this timid backward shy Bengali girl speak? 

He was hearing her for the first time in fact he was watching her like a scanner. 

Everything that she said and explained was perfectly up to the mark. 

At the end of the lecture, she smiled a little which no one noticed except him as he had an eye on her every move. 

In volunteer, he smiled seeing her smile. 

'' Well done Prena I am proud of you.'' Mr Zaid said, The professor of biology and discipline at its best. 

'Thank you, Sir .'' She replied and returned back to her place. 

'' Well done meri sherni (my tigeress).'' and smiled at her. 

Simran was sitting in her room studying when there was a knock on her door. 

'' Who?"She shouted. 

'' The handsome hunk of the family.'' 

Anurag also shouted making her roll her eyes. 

Simran settled herself and asked him to come in. 

'' What are you doing here?'' She asked. 

''Bhai se aise salook karte hain ( this is the way to treat your brother)'' Anurag fake glared at her. 

'' Bhai se to nahi par bandar se zaroor karte hain ( not with brother but with monkeys)'' Simran said and both started laughing. 

Anurag and Simran both belonged to different caste systems but there was nothing as beautiful as the bond they're shared. 

Tell me what are you doing here? Simran asked as he sat on the bean bag. 

''Want to know something.''He said restlessly. 

''What?"

I want to know about Prena. He said and Simran's breath got caught in and hee eyes were wide as a saucer. 

''What ...about whom.'' she was still not sure.

'' About Prena.'' He said emphasising each word.

'' Why...'' this time she shouted. 

'' Relax I am not gonna eat her..just for general knowledge .'' He said

'' Really ....see she is not that type of girl. '' Simran said in a serious tone.

'' What do you mean I am that type of boy,'' Anurag said annoyed. 

'' No but still.''

'' Trust me I am just asking for the knowledge I find her quite amusing.''

He said thinking about her.

''Ok ..bro do you like her?" Simi asked and on hearing this Anurag was speechless. He was running out of words but he held his confidence high. 

'' No no no...he said shaking his head. 

'I don't like her...I think.' He thought. 

Ok so she is Prena Mukerjee ..'' Simi said.''

'' I know that he ..'' he said rolling his eyes. 

'' So what do you want to know ?'' Simi asked. 

'' Ummm...about her family..her daily life, likes, dislikes, hobbies.'' Anu was so excited that Simi could clearly guess that her brother liked Prena. 

''Ok, so here I go bro .'' Simi cleared her throat and then she began. Pre lives with her mother and her younger brother a few miles away from here..Her mother is a school teacher at St. Andrews Public School and she teaches in the pre-primary section. And yes they are the pure Bengalis who are a great follower believer of Durga ma. 

''ok this seems interesting but what about her father ?"  

Simi paused for a while wondering how to put her words in front of Anu.

 

'' No more,'' Simi said sadly. 

''Hmm..ok bye see you tomorrow .''Anu patted her head and moved towards the door with millions of thoughts running across his mind.

'' You surely don't like her na...''Simi had asked because she had never seen Anu ever emotional and this gave her a reason to judge his mind. 

''No, I don't !" But somewhere deep down he knew he did but he wanted to be sure about it. 

 

CHAPTER 2

It was their exams next week and they all were preparing for it. Like always Simi was getting hypertension though she scored well always. 

'' Relax my Simi doll...you will kill the exams with blue colours.'' Pre said with a weird smile. 

'' You don't get it Pre what if a question comes which is totally out of the syllabus .'' She again started with her assumptions. 

''Shh ..... nothing will happen ...come over we could do group study,'' Simi suggested her and she agreed instantly.

''Ok done,'' Simi said. 

Meanwhile, the next day when Simi was getting ready to go to Prena's place Anu had appeared out of nowhere. He had come to ask for something. 

'' Simi where are you going?" He asked pointing towards her bag. 

''Well, I'm going to Prena's place ...'' She replied with that sarcastic tone.

''For?"

'' Studying bro don't you know we have exams next week.'' She said in a duhh tone. 

'' Ummm I know... I also have my exams. But if you agree can I go along?"He asked making her eyes widen. 

''What?"

''Idiot to leave you there.'' He said making her sigh. 

'' No, I will go with the driver..'' Simi said taking her bag. 

'' I am here so I don't see any need of a driver.'' 

'' I always go with the driver'' Simi had turned all suspicious. 

'' Ok come on I also have some work on the way...'' he said and finally, she agreed.

'' Simi you will go alone there?" He asked while walking. 

'' Anu it's not the first time I am going..and by the way, I am not going to your in-law's house that I should tag you along .'' She said and he blushed. 

'' Man why are blushing ....you are such a girl..'' she said and pinched his cheek. 

'' No I am not blushing..'' he denied but the red cheeks and ears said it all. 

They reached within a few minutes as Prenas house was just a few streets away. 

Simi rang the bell and turned around gesturing him to go.

'' Are you sure I should go?" He asked.

'' Of course go...'' she said with that annoyed look on her face.

Meanwhile, the door opened and to Annu's utter remorse it was Prena's mother. 

'' Good morning aunty,'' Simi said and hugged her.

"Hello, beta...who is he ?" 

She asked pointing towards Anurag. 

''Aunty do you remember Ankit uncle ?"

Yes, of course, Simi.

He is his son. '' She explained while Anu instantly greeted her.'' 

'' Good evening beta. Anu how much you have grown up. '' She said and again he blushed. 

'' Come inside child but Simi interrupted saying, '' Aunty he has some important work, he just came to drop me.'Anu literally wanted to punch Simi for her stupidity. 

'' Ok, aunty he will leave now ...go Anu .''As soon as he turned to leave he heard a soft shout. 

'' Maa, Who is there?"

'' Simi.'' her mother shouted. 

Maa, send her in as we have so much to study and she is blabbering with you. 

Prena again shouted making Anurag stunned. 

'' Coming Pre...''Simi said in a hurry and went inside with Prena's mother while Anurag returned back.  

Anurag couldn't get over her gentle voice as it touched his heart. He wanted to hear her voice over and over again. He fell in love with every word that she threw out.

When he realised he was lost in a deep imagination he instantly brushed off his thoughts and muttered '' She's murdering my heart.'' 

Pre and Simi were studying in her room. 

'' Did you come alone ?" 

Nope! I came walking along with Anurag as we decided to take a cool walk. 

''Umm..ok.. that's why I never heard your car honks. But how did he suddenly pop up? 

I know pre you have a lot of questions to ask, but yes he is just a few months elder than me and when he was 5 years old he had to shift to another city and now that he's back with his family his parents admitted him in our school and he lives with us. Simi explained exhaling her energy. 

'' Oh ....'' Pre said and they continued to study. 

After completing their study pre's mother had bought them some breakfast. She had made aloo paratha with chicken curry. 

'' Aunty your hands have magic..'' Simi said making everyone giggle 

'' Simi try this brownie prena had made this for you .'' Her mother had forwarded the plate of brownies which looked absolutely delicious and mouth-watering. 

''ok aunty I should leave now Simi said with a full stomach. 

' love, how will you go?" Pre's mother had asked. 

'' Simi take some brownies for Anurag. I'm sure he would love to have them. Pre's mother said gesturing pre to bring some. 

'' Thank you, aunty.'' 

Anu will be delighted. 

Pre wrapped her cloak to go out to leave Simi. As they took a step out they saw Anurag. Simi couldn't believe that he had been waiting for three hours which made her feel sad for not letting him come along with her. 

''I thought you'll take an hour more, Anu said blabbering about how she left him alone. He paused when he Prena behind Simi. Everything was silent now. Anurag and Prena were lost in the eyes of each other. This was awkward for Simi so she broke the silence by saying..''We should leave Anu.''

Prena interrupted her and greeted him with a ''Hi!'' Then she gave the box to Simi and hugged her turning her head towards Aurag. He let out a smile and she smiled back. He was so surprised and could not stop blushing. 

While Simi and Anu were walking home, Simi realised that she had to give the brownies to him. '' Anu, here for you. Prena had made giving him the box of brownies.

'' Brownies woww...pre gave it for me ?"He asked surprised. 

''Aunty gave it and not pre .''

'' Damn I will thank her for the next time I see them.''He said hitting his head with her face running on his mind.

'' Anu if I say something will you think about it ?" Simi asked in a serious tone. 

''What ?" 

I honestly know you like pre ..but ard you well aware if she feels the same about you know or would you want to get rejected before a dwelling friendship. 

'' Anu did not utter a single word.''

'' I request you to bury your feelings,'' Simi said and silence prevailed them. 

They continued to walk in silence and that's when Anu said, ''I know you are right but I leave to Durga Maa.'' And somewhere deep down I know she has written our fate and pre is me to claim even if she's not with me. '' 

Simi had no words to say. Anu interrupted her while she was lost in silence and said, I promise I will erase her from my mind but not from my memory and stepped inside their home.

Pre on the other end was thinking about starting a friendship with Anurag. 

It was 7 pm in the evening pre was out at the park taking an evening stroll and enjoying the weather. From a distance, she saw a familiar face but she couldn't remember who it was. She went closer and closer to take a clear look. It was Anurag. She was so overwhelmed to see him and so was he. 

Hi, she said making the first move. Hey, prena are you here alone Anu asked seeming a little confused .'Yes, she replied blushing a little .' Anu insisted if they could walk along and she agreed. They cracked silly jokes and spoke about everything that their heart let out. Anurag couldn't control his feelings anymore longer as every time his eyes meet hers he fell in love over and over again but passionately with respect. 

'' Are you comfortable with me prena.'' 

Prena laughed and said, 'ok I'm going home then ...'' They both burst out into laughter. Yes, I'm very much comfortable. In fact, it is my very first time being comfortable with a guy she said holding his hands tightly. He held her hands even tighter and they walked in silence. 

It was a lovely evening the glorious moon gave out its spark and so did the stars shoot out twinkling its magical light. Anu wanted to live this moment again. He broke the silence by pulling prena towards him and kissing her forehead saying ' I love you.' She held him tight and said forever with you. There was nothing as beautiful to explain as both pre and Anu knew that this is what they wanted and on that very night two souls meet.